by Frank Mangio
In what could be an inflection point in the wine industry, an announcement came out recently from the 4th largest winery in the state of Washington that Hogue Cellars, as a “result of groundbreaking research” is moving 100% of its wine production to screwcap closures.
It took Hogue Cellars about 5 years to arrive at the decision that screwcaps were the ideal closure for “preserving and aging wines.”I have long felt that screwcaps have a place in the wine world. You cannot beat Hogue Cellars of Washington is now using Screwcap Closures (photo) on all their wines. the convenience in eliminating the corkscrew opener. In the research, screwcap closures were proven to hold fruit flavors and aromas without reducing the character of the wines. Sure, corks will always be a part of the ritual of opening a powerful and expensive wine in a 5 star restaurant.
There is something to getting your moneys’ worth in this condescending approach to the pampering of the wine experience. But in this Hogue Cellars study which is the most extensive one ever, the right type of screwcap closure allows better preservation and quality compared to natural cork closures,due to a controlled ratio of oxygen to come in contact with the wine.
Over 3,200 samples were tested over 5 years. In blind samplings, the screwcap closure had the best taste consistency. “It all comes down to quality,” said Hogue Director of Winemaking Coman Dinn. “We want customers to know that when they purchase a bottle of Hogue Cellars wine, whether it’s to enjoy that night or in 5 years, the wine in the bottle will be fresh because it has been sealed in the best closure currently on the market.”
Try the Hogue Cellars 2008 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of Merlot, Lemberger and Syrah, for an example of a beautifully crafted complex red ( $11.) with the newest generation of a screwcap closure. www.hoguecellars.com
“La Familia” Wines of Napa Valley
The roots of the wine world can be truly traced to husband and wife, father and son or daughter and generally can be said to be Italian in origin, in the sweeping fields of Napa and Sonoma.
In the story of Carolyn Lawrence of Leo Joseph Wines, going back to 2002, it was four generations of women learning as they went; from Carolyn’s 100 + year old mother, her daughter to her granddaughter. At the family home in St. Helena, they had planted nearly an acre of vines around the family home and began producing wines starting with the 2005 vintage. The vineyard yields 3 ½ tons of Cabernet and almost ½ ton of Cab Franc.
Carolyn Lawrence Murphy and husband Bill display their Napa Valley Cabernet vintages at a Sons of Italy gathering in Carlsbad.
Leo Joseph was her father who was born and raised in St Helena. For more on the wines and how to purchase, access www.leojosephwines.com.
Wine Bytes
§ Laguna Canyon Winery’s next monthly tasting is Fri.Aug. 5 from 6 to 9pm. For $35. ea. select from 15 different wines including Brut Champagne. Appetizers include assorted cheeses and grapes. RSVP at 949-715-1621.
§ Tesoro Winery in Temecula has the Valley Winds Swing Band Fri. Aug. 5 and 19, from 6 to 9pm just outside the tasting room in Old Town. Free Admission. Call 951-308-0000.
§ The San Diego Wine Country Festival is Sat Aug 6 from 1 to 5pm at Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo. Nearly 20 wineries in San Diego County are pouring. Education booths to learn how to make wine. Music and food add to the festivities. $20. admission. Food extra. Call 858-487-1866 x 115 for more.
§ The Venetian Masquerade is coming to Little Italy in San Diego Sat. Aug. 13, 6 to 10pm in Amici Park . Come in Costume. Italian music, food, dance and art. Silent auction. $100. pp. Tickets at www.ferragostosd.org.
§ Schlossadler International Wines in Oceanside has its annual Warehouse Tasting Sat. Aug. 13 from 2 to 5pm. Open to the public for $15. ( buy a bottle and get a your admission applied to the wine) Music, food, wines from around the world. More by calling 800-371-9463.
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